Peter Kay interrupted his appearance on This Morning to highlight presenter Cat Deeley’s repetitive verbal habit during Thursday’s programme.
The 52-year-old comedian paused while discussing his charitable tour donations to address Deeley’s tendency to interject with “yes” and “yeah” after each point he made.
The Bolton-born performer noticed the pattern as he explained how proceeds from his Better Late Than Never tour would benefit cancer charities.
While reading a list of organisations, he stopped after mentioning Bowel Cancer UK, shot Deeley a pointed glance and burst into laughter.
Peter Kay mocked the This Morning presenter during his slot on the show to promote his up-coming charity performance
|ITV
“I’m not laughing at bowel cancer, it’s because she keeps saying, ‘yeah’,” Mr Kay clarified.
Ms Deeley looked flustered as she giggled and turned away from the camera. Co-presenter Ben Shephard stepped in, saying: “It’s called active listening, my wife does it and it drives me mad.”
Mr Kay responded with characteristic humour: “Well, if you’ve got any issues with that and you want to ring up…?” before continuing with the list.
The comedian appeared on the ITV show to confirm that all revenue from the final dates of his record-breaking tour would support cancer charities, with twelve organisations set to receive profits from the Better Late Than Never Again performances.
Peter Kay with the award for best male performance in a comedy programme during the House of Fraser BAFTA TV Awards 2016
|PA
He listed beneficiaries including Children with Cancer UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, Kidney Cancer UK and Blood Cancer UK. Deeley continued to respond to each charity with small affirmative sounds, drawing further attention to the on-air habit.
The charitable announcement formed part of Kay’s promotional appearances ahead of tickets going on sale on November 30.
His tour extension adds 81 dates across the UK and Ireland between February 2025 and February 2026.
Mr Kay had previously discussed the donations on The One Show, noting that “everybody knows someone who’s been affected” by cancer.
Peter Kay started his comedy career by performing his first stand-up gig in November 1995
|PA
Social media users reacted quickly to the awkward moment between the comedian and the One Show presenter, with many viewers delighted the habit had finally been acknowledged.
“At last someone has done it! Peter Kay calling out Cat Deeley on all her ‘yep… yeah… aha… um’ while someone is trying to talk,” one viewer wrote. Another commented: “Not Peter Kay giving Cat a look to tell her to stop her ‘yep, yeah, uh huh’. About time someone did… rumour has it Holly is coming back… #ThisMorning.”
Others took the opportunity to praise Mr Kay. “Peter Kay is a national treasure. Love from Ireland,” one posted. Another added: “Peter Kay is killing it yet again, so funny.”
Many viewers said they had long noticed Ms Deeley’s verbal interjections, and appeared relieved a guest had confronted what they saw as an irritating habit.
The moment also sparked wider discussion about presenting styles on daytime television.
The interview included another tense exchange when Ms Deeley attempted to introduce a topic about Billy Joel. After asking: “Can we talk about Billy Joel?”, she immediately continued: “Because weren’t you in Ireland and you went to go and see him and was it your dad who is a big Billy Joel fan?”
Mr Kay responded sharply: “Why don’t you just tell it? There’s literally nothing left to tell of that story.”
Mr Shephard added: “She always does this.” Deeley insisted: “No, I didn’t give away the big bit,” while laughing.
Peter Kay revealed he has had a lifelong struggle with his weight
|PA
This isn’t the first time Mr Kay has been in the spotlight this year.
In September, he revealed rare details about his lifelong struggle with weight, admitting he “tried everything… Slimming World and Weight Watchers. I did all of them.”
Speaking at an event with Sara Cox, he said willpower was his biggest challenge, recalling sneaking out during a cinema trip: “I bought a hot dog… I thought, look at you — what are you doing?… I got it and threw it in the bin — and just as it was about to hit the binliner, I grabbed it and still ate it.”
Mr Kay also reflected on how his mum influenced his relationship with food: “My mum used to bring pies in for me at primary school… My mum is obsessed with people being overweight… She used to hide the biscuits… I’d reach inside the tumble dryer and get a packet of digestives out.”
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